The energy utility company ActewAGL has confirmed it will increase the cost of installing bi-directional power meters from $66 up to $500 from the beginning of July.
This new charge has the potential to bring on a rush of new solar power installations in both NSW and the ACT as customers try to get in before the price increase.
The manager of ActewAGL's asset management department Stephen Devlin has reportedly said that the the increase was due to new national electricity regulations that have altered the metering provisions for the power industry.
A news article on the SolarQuotes.com.au Blog has quoted Mr Devlin as saying “As part of the Australian Energy Regulator’s final decision released on 30 April 2015, ActewAGL Distribution is required to move to full cost recovery for metering services from 1 July 2015,” he said.
“Therefore, from 1 July 2015 ActewAGL customers will be required to pay the full up-front cost for new meters, including installation. Applications for any connection received before 30 June 2015 will be treated under the old pricing regime, where customers only pay for installation.
“For solar customers, the cost of a new meter and installation would change from about $66 to $500. NSW Distributors will also operate under this AER decision from 1 July 2015.”
More information posted on the SolarQuotes.com.au Blog states that meter charges will increase by roughly $200 starting at July the 1st because of the decision by AER.
Across Australia many other power providers are also trying to increase costs on solar owners and new solar installations, one South Australian power company has reportedly proposed charging solar owners an extra $100 for network costs, the Queensland government has recently passed increases in fixed charged that will make installing solar a little less attractive to some.
Article source SolarQuotes.com.au
